The Missing Piece for Transformational Leadership: Internal Family Systems
- Jo Green
- Jan 14
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 24
What if the key to becoming a truly impactful leader wasn’t another strategy, but a deeper understanding of yourself? Internal Family Systems (IFS) might just be the missing piece of the leadership puzzle.
At its core, IFS is a model of understanding us, human beings, as a system of "parts." We all have these parts: the inner critic, the overachiever, the people-pleaser, and many more. While they each have good intentions, they can sometimes lead to internal conflict or behaviours that don’t serve us or our teams.
In IFS, there’s also something deeper: the Self. The Self is the core of who we are; calm, compassionate, confident, and curious. When we lead from Self, rather than being driven by our parts, we’re grounded, authentic, and present.
So, why is this a game-changer for leadership? I could list so many reasons here but I’ll keep it concise…
1. Clarity in Decision-Making: Leaders often feel pulled in multiple directions. By getting to know your inner parts and addressing their concerns, you can approach decisions from a place of balance and clarity.
2. Emotional Resilience: Many leaders shy away from emotions, viewing them as obstacles. IFS helps you embrace emotions as signals from your parts, allowing you to respond rather than react.
3. Creating Psychological Safety: When you’re leading from Self, you model authenticity and vulnerability. This creates a ripple effect, encouraging your team to feel safe, open, and engaged.
4. Transforming Culture: A leader who understands their own internal system is better equipped to understand and empathise with others. This fosters a culture of trust, innovation, and collaboration.
5. Sustainability: IFS helps you avoid burnout by fostering a cooperative relationship with yourself. When you’re working with your parts instead of against them, you show up differently as a leader—more present, empathetic, and grounded. This shift impacts everyone around you, inspiring your team and creating an environment where success naturally follows.
As Nicholas Janni writes in Leader as Healer, "The more we become fully present to ourselves, the more our leadership becomes a force that heals, inspires, and transforms those around us."
Not for the Faint of Heart
It’s important to acknowledge that IFS isn’t for everyone. Don’t get me wrong, absolutely everyone can benefit from it but it takes courage to look inward, to face the parts of ourselves we’d rather ignore, and to be willing to be vulnerable. This process can feel uncomfortable, even daunting, at times. But for those who are ready to embrace this journey, the rewards, both personal and professional, can be transformative.
Leadership isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being whole. When you embrace all parts of yourself and lead from Self, you unlock not only your potential but also the potential of those around you. This is where true success and cultural transformation begin.
If you’re ready to explore how IFS can elevate your leadership and create lasting change in your organisation, you can read more about it's impact here and let’s have a chat.
Jo Green
Ph: 021 199 5755
